Chrism Eucharist

After a two-year break, I am looking forward greatly to welcoming all of you once again to the Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, April 14^th, at 1100hr for a full in-person gathering to celebrate the Chrism Eucharist with the Blessing of the Holy Oils and the renewal of our commitment to diaconal, priestly and episcopal service, as well as the re-commitment of all the baptized to mission.

All licensed and commissioned lay ministers and all members of our congregations are very welcome in addition to all clergy, serving and retired, to help to make it a genuinely diocesan service.

In order for the Dean and Chapter to make appropriate seating arrangements we are asking those intending to join the service in Cathedral to register this through their Mission Area Leaders/administrators.  Booking in this way is also essential for the lunch that follows the service.  Thank you to those mission areas that have already returned their numbers. Please could the remaining mission areas ensure that Michael at Esgobty has names and numbers by Tuesday (April 5^th) at the very latest.

In order to ensure the day goes as smoothly and safely as possible it would be helpful if clergy would take time to note the following protocols:

• Please robe in alb/cassock & surplice with white stole prior to entering the cathedral. Readers are warmly invited to wear their surplices and scarves, and members of the Order of St Asaph their insignia
• On entering the cathedral please sanitise your hands and take your seat in the nave (Clergy places will be distinguished by blue orders of service; lay places, yellow)
• We recommend that face coverings are worn for the service in order to give reassurance to those amongst us that are more vulnerable to the effects of Covid.
• The Holy Eucharist will be administered in one kind, and you will be directed to your communion station. Please be mindful of the needs of those needing to main social distancing.
• At the end of the service, please remain in your places while the Bishop’s altar party recess, after which those who are robed can divest in their places.
• To prevent a long queue and congestion in the South Transept for the serving of lunch, please remain in your place and the congregation will be called up in turn to collect their food.
• Please feel free to reconfigure the seating in the nave to form fellowship groups while you socialize over lunch. If the weather cooperates, there will also be plastic chairs available that people can use to sit in the cathedral grounds.

Your cooperation in making the service a happy and safe occasion will be much appreciated.

During the lunch there will be a stall with a selection of secondhand books in the presbytery for those who would like to enlarge their theological libraries.  The majority of the books have been generously given by Bishop John Dudley Davies who is downsizing his collection.  We ask you to not handle a book unless you intend to purchase it.  Cash donations for any books taken will be most welcome and will be passed on in supporting Ukrainian refugees in north Wales.

Communion in Both Kinds

A reminder that at the Bench meeting in February, the bishops decided that Easter Sunday would be the right time to move back to Communion in Both Kinds and the use of the common cup.  This will be a permissive and not a mandatory move at this stage, and Shared Ministry Teams and Church Committees will have to think carefully about what they are content to adopt as practice in the areas for which they have responsibility.  You are advised to undertake an appropriate risk assessment, and act in accordance with the best practice you believe is applicable, taking reasonable measure to diminish the risk of spreading infection.

The guidance I have been given indicates that there will therefore be three options for communion, (bread only/ intinction by president/ common cup) with an increasing hierarchy of theoretical risk.

• The church council should consider which option they prefer as part of their risk assessment process.
• There should be no pressure on people to adopt the common cup – ‘in one kind’ should remain a clear and valid option for the church or for any individuals who prefer it.
• There does not appear to be any published research indicating empirical evidence that Covid has been spread via the common cup however.
• Wiping the rim between communicants is standard practice and appears to be the most effective risk reduction measure.
• The biggest risk is probably close contact in communion queues or at the communion rail.
• The perceived risk to the clergy of consuming the remainder of the cup is also an important consideration, and some clinically vulnerable clergy will wish to factor this in to any decision making. This is not unreasonable given the past two years. The option of a co-celebrant or acolyte undertaking this role is perfectly reasonable, if they are happy to do so.

Patronal Festival of St Asaph

There will be a special celebration of the Holy Eucharist to celebrate our diocesan patron Asaph on Saturday, May 7^th, in the Cathedral at 11.00hr.  I do encourage the Teulu Asaph to join together for this service of thanksgiving for the inheritance of faith we have received and to pray for our ongoing service and mission in Asaph’s name.

During the Eucharist there will be an opportunity for us to celebrate aspects of our common life together:

1. It will be my pleasure to award the Order of St. Asaph to three members of the diocesan family who have been nominated for particular recognition for their diocesan service. This year we will be acknowledging Helen Jones for her service as Chair and Vice Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance; Anne Suter for her work as a Trustee of the Bishop Alwyn Rice Jones Trust; and Jennie Willson for her work  as a St Asaph representative on Provincial Standing Committee and Transition Mentor, as well as representing the diocese on the Governing Body and as a member of the Joint Strategy Working Group.
2. I would also like to invite those who will be celebrating a significant Ordination anniversary during 2022 to join me for this special celebratory Eucharist– anniversaries such as 25 years and the subsequent ‘0’ or ‘5’ anniversaries thereafter. If you have a special anniversary this year that you would like to celebrate then please contact Esgobty as soon as possible and no later than April 14^th.

The Cathedral and the Indoor Sky Diving Experience

The Dean and I have been doing some thinking about how we can put the reopening of our Churches after Covid on the map, and to increase visitor footfall in the Cathedral.  In the same way that Norwich have recently had a Helter Skelter in the Cathedral, and Rochester a Mini-Golf Course, we are pleased to announce that St Asaph will be the first cathedral in the UK to host an Indoor SkyDiving Experience this summer.  Some of you may be familiar with this ride from fun fairs, whereby a huge blower lifts participants into the air to simulate the experience of sky diving.  In the next week or so, the Cathedral will be hosting the machinery that supports the Sky Diving experience in the Cathedral on a trial basis, and we need some clergy who will turn up in their cassocks to try out the sky diving, and to be photographed for the publicity that will support its launch.

It would be helpful if you wish to put yourself forward to join me in this amazing experience, if you could telephone Siân as soon as you can, and if possible, this morning, for full details and to book your place.  We hope that you’ll be joined by the First Minister and some notable north Wales celebrities to make it a really memorable fun event!

Diary and Events

This diary below includes dates for events where all clergy are encouraged to attend, or required to attend as part of their professional commitment.  Please ensure that these dates are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.

APRIL and MAY

03 April                      Licensing of Jane Finn & Martin Pritchard in Denbigh Mission Area, 1530hr (St Mary’s, Denbigh)

14 April                      Chrism Eucharist and Renewal of Vows (Cathedral) 1100hr

16 April                      Easter Vigil and Confirmation (Cathedral) 1900hrs

07 May                       Patronal Eucharist for the Feast of St Asaph including Order of St Asaph awards and the celebration of ordination anniversaries 11.00hr  (Cathedral)

15 May                       Choral Evensong & Installation of new canons 15.30hr (Cathedral)

LATER in the year

22 & 25 June             Petertide Ember Days

25 June                       Ordination of Priests, Cathedral, 1000hr

02 July                        Ordination of Deacons, Cathedral, 1000hr

24 July                        Evening Prayer and Hellins Lecture, Cathedral, 1530hr

23 & 24 Septr            Michaelmas Ember Days

08 Octr                       Diocesan Conference (online)

14-17 Novr                Residential Clergy School (Swanwick Conference Centre)

22 Novr                      MAL Training Day (venue and format to be decided)

14,16,17 Decr           Advent Ember Days

Hwyl a Helo

I am pleased to announce that Stephen Hayes has accepted my invitation to become Mission Area Leader for Tanat Vyrnwy from May.  I am delighted that Stephen has taken on this new responsibility, and I believe that he will be excellent in the role.

Glen Mansfield has tendered his resignation on appointment as a Team Rector in the Diocese of Chelmsford.  Glen will be leaving at the end of June, and we wish him every blessing for the future.  Glen has served faithfully in Aber Morfa since he joined us in 2015, and we will miss his strong witness to the Gospel.

James Harris has indicated to me that he will retire at the end of May, and Steve Green that he will retire at the end of July.  We will miss James’ thoughtful ministry, and Steve’s faithfulness.  James has served in the diocese since 2003, and Steve since his ordination in 1982, which gives him a full forty years of service, and makes him the “father of the diocese”.  We really have been blessed with such ministries.

New Constitution for the Cathedral

Under a new canon of the Church in Wales, each Cathedral is enabled to adopt a new scheme of governance.  After some careful work by the Dean and Chapter, in consultation with me as bishop, a new constitution is ready to come into force in May this year.  This means that the Governing Body of the Cathedral will be made up of a smaller Chapter, including lay and clerical canons chosen for the contribution that can make to the governance and mission of the Cathedral, together with a Greater Chapter of advisers.  There is also scope to appoint further Honorary Canons, including recognition for canons from the wider Anglican Communion, and our ecumenical partners.

Including those who already hold canonries, the new College of Canons looks like this:

CHAPTER

• Dean:                          The Very Revd Nigel Williams
• Precentor:                 Canon Rex Matthias
• Sacrist:                       Canon Tudor Hughes
• Chancellor:                Canon Pam Powell
• Missioner:                 Andrea Jones, Rector of Hawarden
• Treasurer:                 Diane McCarthy, Diocesan Secretary
• Canon for Communication: John Liston

Appointments as Canon Steward, a Canon for Tourism and a Mission Area Canon await confirmation.  We welcome Andrea’s faithful ministry and enthusiasm for Church growth, Diane’s outstanding service as Diocesan Secretary and financial experience, and John’s considerable experience in building the communication work of the Cathedral to the Chapter.

GREATER CHAPTER

• Stall of Llanfair Prima, Archdeacon Andy Grimwood
• Stall of Llanfair Secunda, Archdeacon Barry Wilson
• Stall of Adam Beckinsell, Canon Sue Huyton
• Stall of David ap Howell, Canon Michael Balkwill
• Stall of Ricardi Harrison, Canon Nia Morris
• Stall of Randulph Birkenhed, Canon Martin Batchelor
• Stall of Arthur Bulkeley, Jason Bray
• Stall of Johannes Griffith, Carole Poolman

I am pleased to be able to affirm the outstanding ministries of Jason as Vicar of St Giles’ in Wrexham and Carole as Mission Area Leader of Mold.  The stall of Galfridi Ruthin awaits confirmation.

HONORARY CANONS

Steve Green and Trish Owens will be joined by Stuart Evans, for his distinguished and long service, and Jane James, for her outstanding ministry as a Mission Area Leader.

I am also pleased to announce that Jennifer Hurd, Chair of Synod Cymru of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, Brian Matthews, former Moderator of the Presbyterian and United Reformed Churches in ales, and Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ have accepted nomination as Honorary Canons in recognition of their ecumenical service.  They will be joined by Canon Richard Peers, Sub-Dean of Oxford, and a long standing friend of the diocese.

Notes and Queries

Hellins Lecture

After a break of several years, I am pleased to announce the next Hellins Lecture will take place on Sunday 24 July in the Cathedral at 15.30hr when the Lecturer will be Bishop Matthew Mhagama, from our link diocese of South West Tanganyika.  The Hellins Lecture is held in memory of Canon E W J Hellins who generously endowed a sum of money for the education of the clergy and laity in the diocese, which we use from time to time in organizing a lecture from a prominent speaker.   It will be good to welcome Bishop Matthew back to the diocese for a few days prior to the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, and I hope you will make a note of this in your diaries and be in the Cathedral to welcome him.  More information will be available nearer the time.

Readers and Funerals

There are a number of our Reader colleagues who, following training, hold a Funeral Faculty in addition to the duties listed on the standard Reader licence.  This ministry to the dead and bereaved is much appreciated and to be celebrated.

It has come to my attention, however, that there are a few Readers taking funerals independently without any reference to their Mission Area colleagues, and even promoting their personal ministry with funeral directors by the use of a business cards etc.  Funeral ministry by Readers is to be offered for and on behalf of their mission areas and not as a personal endeavour, with any fees normally assigned to the Diocesan Readers Association unless permission is otherwise given by the bishop.

To this end, Readers with Funeral Faculties should not be accepting funerals without the consent of the cleric with pastoral responsibility for the community from which the funeral is associated, or minister independently of the usual mechanisms within a mission area for the allocation of funerals amongst clergy and reader colleagues.

Please contact Huw Butler, our LLM Officer, with any questions or concerns relating to this.

Thy Kingdom Come

The ten days that lead up to Pentecost Sunday is traditionally a time when we particularly pray for the Holy Spirit’s power and gifts in the building up of the church, and for their use in our witness as we seek the coming of God’s Kingdom in all its fullness.   As part of this period of prayer, I do encourage you and your churches to join in the international ecumenical initiative ‘Thy Kingdom Come’.  More information about the initiative and resources can be found at  https://www.thykingdomcome.global/.  For those who can use Welsh language resources there is a supply at Esgobty.  If you let Michael know your requirements by April 12^th he will make these available for collection at the Chrism Eucharist.

With my continuing thanks for your own faithfulness, courage and witness,